Georgia County Government - May/June 2008 - (Page 10)

MATTERS continued from page 9 Credit program. Under his proposal, the revenue replacement would be guaranteed in the Constitution. ACCG did not object to the proposal. The speaker’s “Great Plan” idea morphed almost daily as the session went on and the situation got more difficult as first the February and then the March state revenue figures came out. These showed that state revenue collections were continuing to decline at a significant rate. March 2008 compared to March 2007 showed a decline of 1.6 percent. Governor Sonny Perdue even reduced his revenue estimate forcing cuts in his proposed budget. This was a very prudent move for the state to take, but that didn’t change the desire of the Legislature to present a tax cut to the voters. The solution became simple. Since there was no way for the state to provide funds for a tax cut and maintain financial stability, a different approach was needed, creating the illusion of a tax cut. The speaker’s plan then became the Burkhalter Car Tax Plan with a small change – rather than the Legislature replacing the revenue to be lost by local governments and schools, the General Assembly would be authorized to replace the revenue. Put another way the “shall” became a “may.” What would follow would not make a pretty picture for local government and school officials. To make up the $600 million in lost revenue, millage would have to be increased. Certainly, property owners would not be happy with that, and there would be an added demand for the Legislature to cap assessments and millage rates of the local governments that are raising taxes as soon as the Legislature gives a tax break. There remains a need for a detailed examination and study of the state’s tax structure, particularly with respect to transparency, equity and productivity in various economic cycles. We have many in the Legislature who are capable of managing such an effort and experts from the university system, from private organization and interest groups and even some of our very thoughtful taxpayer groups that could assist. Once a solid tax plan is developed and put on paper, that is the time that it needs to be carried out across the state where a debate on the specifics can take place. Meanwhile, we have learned that tax reform in the context of politics – instead of economics – will make sound decisions more difficult, if not impossible. ■ Thomas S. Gray, Jr. (912) 443-4044 tgray@graypannell.com Attorneys at Law James L. Pannell (912) 443-4042 jimpannell@graypannell.com Municipal Bond & Underwriter’s Counsel Local Governments & Authorities Real Estate & Business Law P. O. Box 8050 (31412) 218 West State Street, Third ﬂoor Savannah, Georgia 31401 Main: (912) 443-4040 Fax: (912) 443-4041 Marvin A. Fentress (912) 443-4043 mfentress@graypannell.com Kandice N. Harvey (912) 443-4046 kharvey@graypannell.com www.graypannell.com Jonathan B. Pannell (912) 443-4045 jonpannell@graypannell.com Aviation Services Design-Build-Operate Drinking Water Facilities and Geotechnical Engineering Information Management Program Management Wastewater Water Resources 5 A www.cdm.com Atlanta, Georgia 404 720-1400 ® ® 4 10 GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT Valdosta, Georgia 229 259-9501 http://www.graypannell.com http://www.cdm.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - May 2008

Georgia County Government - May 2008 Contents President’s Message County Matters ACCG 2008 Annual Meeting: Highlights County Focus: Clayton County Negotiating a Professional Service Firm Contract: Part 3 Counties Get Involved in Efforts to End Sexual Abuse of Children Smart Growth Scorecard Gives Communities a Way to Grade New Developments Wireless Technologies Critical for First Responders Research Corner: The ACCG Policy Process RDCs Assist the USS Georgia Flag Project Extension News: Animals Take Spotlight in Disaster Planning Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: Grady County NACo News: Green Initiative Launches Searchable Database Insurance News: ACCG Announces New Inmate Medical Savings Program County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - May 2008

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